Life’s about to get bigger - in the best way. Maybe you’re stepping back from work, or already have, for your family? Or are you finally taking that sabbatical? Or, maybe you’ve taken the leap and are returning to study, because it’s never too late to pivot a career.
Taking a break means you're reshaping your future. But with income pausing or reducing, your super needs a little extra attention now, so it keeps working even when you take a step back.
Three things The Career Breaker could do before taking a break:
You've worked hard to get here. The promotion landed. The pay rise hit. And that HECS debt? Dwindling, if not gone. For the first time, there's extra money in your pocket and you want to make it work as hard as you do.
A first home might be on the horizon too as your life milestones unfold. You're ambitious, forward-thinking, and ready to start building real financial momentum. Super might not be front of mind yet, but the smartest career move you can make right now could be to harness it.
Three things for The Career Progressor to explore:
You've lived a life, and probably five other ones. Overseas adventures, raising children, or a life built across borders. But now you're here, ready to lay down roots, and you can't help but notice your super balance looks a little… light.
Whether you’re new to Australia and only just started working, spent years travelling and working abroad, or have just dived into the world of work, you're starting your super journey from a different place. The good news? There's more time, and ways, to catch up than you think.
Three things for The Catcher Upper to consider:
What can I do to get on track?
Adding a bit extra, before tax or after tax, is the most direct way to grow your super, faster.[S1] Any amount you add will benefit from compounding over the rest of your working life, earning returns on your returns, potentially impacting your super balance for the better come retirement.[S1]
Likewise, combining old supers into one account helps streamline the fees and admin associated with having multiple super accounts.[C1] Paying multiple sets of fees eats into your savings over time, and adds extra admin to an already busy life.
There are ways to keep growing your super while taking a break from work. If going on parental leave, we can help you understand your entitlements and the way super is paid during this time too.
You can get a snapshot of the impact of your career break using My Retirement Planner™. It helps you identify any gaps, and gives you space to play to figure out how to catch up.
You can grow your deposit with before-tax contributions (like salary sacrifice) or after-tax contributions (like a personal contribution).
What growing your super could look like
Meet Jessica.
She’s 34 years old
Her yearly salary is $78,000
Her super balance is $74,000
She salary sacrifices $100 per fortnight from her pay (before tax) to her super
She makes these contributions until age 67
By making regular contributions, Jessica is reducing her taxable income, and therefore how much tax she pays. Even though she’s contributing $100 per fortnight, her take-home pay only reduces by $68 dollars per fortnight.
Because of these regular contributions, Jessica has:
Increased her super balance by $112,000 at retirement age
Saved $442 in tax in the first year
Even a small amount per fortnight can add up to a significant extra amount over time.
Keen to benefit from salary sacrifice? We’ve made it easy for you to get started. Chat to your employer and then use our handy form.
Salary sacrifice case study infographic
Retirement balances are rounded to the nearest $1,000.
Numbers are presented in today's dollars, deflated using Average Weekly Ordinary Time Earnings (AWOTE) at 3.7% p.a.
Salary Sacrifice contributions are assumed to be made monthly, are increased in line with annual salary increases of 3.7% p.a. and assumes concessional contribution caps are indexed in line with AWOTE.
Based on an average Aware Super female member aged 34, with a current balance of $74,000, earning $78,000 p.a. and planning to retire at age 67.
Based on SG of 12%.
Based on current legislated tax rates as at 1 July 2025, and incorporating future legislated tax changes up to financial year 2027/28.
Asset-based fee is assumed to be 0.15% p.a., capped at a maximum of $750 p.a. Fee cap is indexed in line with AWOTE of 3.7% p.a.
Fixed fee is assumed to be $52 p.a., increasing in line with assumed wage inflation of 3.7% p.a.
Investment returns are based on the Aware Super MySuper Life Cycle option, assumed to be CPI + 4% until age 55, reducing from CPI + 4% to CPI + 2.75% between the ages 55-65 (inclusive) and CPI + 2.75% from age 65 onwards.
Investment returns are assumed to be net of tax.
CPI is assumed to be 2.5% p.a.
Insurance premiums are based on typical values for a medium risk member.
Projection does not allow for any Low-Income Super Tax Offset (LISTO) or Government Co-Contribution amounts.
This example is general advice and for illustrative purposes only. It relies on various assumptions. If actual circumstances differ from these assumptions, actual results will be different. Consider your objectives, financial situation, or needs, which have not been accounted for in this information.
Frequently asked questions
Your mid-30s are a great time to act. You’ve got roughly 30 years of compounding growth time ahead. Here’s a few moves that could make a real difference:
Make extra contributions.[S1] Even small, regular top-ups can add up significantly over time. You may be able to contribute before or after tax, like salary sacrifice or voluntary contributions, depending on your situation.
Check your investment option. At 35, most members are well-suited to a growth-oriented option, which could deliver stronger long-term returns.
Consolidate multiple accounts.[C1] Fewer accounts means fewer sets of fees eating into your balance.
You can use your super to help save your first home deposit through the First Home Super Saver (FHSS) scheme.
The scheme lets eligible first home buyers withdraw up to $50,000 in voluntary contributions (plus associated earnings). Contributions made through salary sacrifice or personal after-tax contributions may qualify.
The FHSS has specific eligibility rules and limits. Check your eligibility and the current rules with the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) before taking any action.
It’s worth reviewing your insurance regularly, especially if you’ve bought a home, or started a family, or taken on any new financial commitments.
Insurance through super can help provide financial support if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury, or to your loved ones if you pass away. Check whether your current insurance meets your needs and remember that premiums are deducted from your super balance, not out of your pocket.
Time out of the workforce, whether for parenting/caring, study, or a career change, means fewer regular employer super contributions going into your balance. Over time, that gap may have a meaningful impact on your final balance.
A few ways to help bridge the gap while you're on a break (or when you return):
Make after-tax contributions.[S1] Even small amounts during a break can help keep your balance growing. If your income is lowered, you may also be eligible for a government co-contribution when you boost your super.[S3]
Contribution splitting. If you’ve got a partner and they’re still working, they may be able to split their super contributions with you which could help keep your balance on track.
Spousal contributions also allow your partner to make voluntary after-tax contributions direct to your super.
Insurance reminder: It’s important to know that your account may become ‘inactive’ if there’s no contributions or rollovers for 16 months. If your super account becomes ‘inactive’ any insurance you have through that account may lapse, unless you’ve elected to keep your cover. Check your insurance cover today and make sure your account remains active during your break.
Salary sacrifice depends on your financial situation. If you can afford to lose a little bit from your take home pay each pay cycle, then it’s a great option for a lot of people.
In short, salary sacrifice is putting some of your before-tax pay into your super. This can be a tax-effective way to grow your balance faster.[S2] Contributions made this way are generally taxed at 15%, which may be lower than your marginal income tax rate.
At 35, retirement is far enough away that growth has time to build, but your earning power has also grown meaning your contributions can make a genuine impact.[S2]
*ASFA super detective, someone the age of 35 should have close to $118,000 (as of June 2026).
**APRA Quarterly Superannuation Industry Publication, the average super balance for a 35-39yr old is $82,716 (as of Jun 22, 2026)
1 Source: 2025 Australian Financial Advice Landscape: Adviser Ratings
[AD2] Members can get advice about their Aware Super accounts at no extra cost, or advice on their broader needs for a fee.
[C1] Before consolidating, consider if this is right for you, including the loss of any insurance cover from your other funds, the impact on your investments, and potential tax implications and read the PDS and TMD at aware.com.au/pds. You may wish to speak with a qualified financial planner before making this decision.
[IN1] Insurance described on this webpage is provided under group life insurance and group income protection policies issued by TAL Life Limited, ABN 70 050 109 450, AFSL 237848 (‘the insurer’, or ‘TAL’). This webpage is intended to be a guide to the insurance available through Aware Super under the policies, however, all insurance is subject to the precise terms of those policies which will prevail to the extent of any inconsistency. Insurance cover is subject to the terms and conditions outlined in the applicable policy. For more information refer to the relevant Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) and Insurance Handbook.
[S1] Before contributing, consider the current annual contribution limits. Exceeding these limits may reduce any tax benefits you could receive. Visit Grow your super for more information.
[S2] Salary sacrifice will save tax in many but not all circumstances and will cause a reduction in your take home pay.
[S3] Check your eligibility for the government's super co-contribution before acting on this information.